What I've made with my acorns so far !

Sterling Silver Viking Knit bracelet with etched copper Oak leaf focal.
Acorn dangle is a glass lampwork bead that the "cap" of the acorn has been electroformed with copper.
Each component (Viking Knit, making the lampwork bead,  copper etching, electroforming) is a very time consuming process. I'm pleased as punch with the results.
$115.00

   





My second attempt is a copper etched oak leaf connected with a fused fine silver chain, and the acorn dangle is a glass lampwork bead that has been electroformed to show off a copper "acorn cap"
The bracelet and leaf have been oxidized to give the silver and copper an aged look.
$110.00

New Beads !

A fellow lampwork artist (Julie Nordine) came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. One of her signature beads is an acorn. She was so nice to share her technique with me. Here are my results ! I LOVE them ! Can't wait to make something with them ! My business used to be called In the Woods Designs......fits right in ! lol

Got a few new ones in the kiln !

I had a rare opportunity to torch all day long yesterday ! My friend, Robin and I flew an up and coming lampwork artist to Indy to be her guinea pigs. She's wanting to teach, and "doesn't know if she's good enough"  WHAT???? Lol !  Her name is Julie Nordine (Credit River Art Glass) and she makes amazing beads ! Uses lots of Silvered Glass.(YUUUM $$$) She helped me "tweak" my style. I'm getting there ! All bead makers want a style that everyone can look at your bead and say "that's a so and so bead"  Well, someday I want for people to say "that's a Carol Watson bead !"  Not quite there yet, but closer !
I came home tonight to a driveway and part of the garage covered in OIL. Oil as in, the oil that I used to fry the thanksgiving turkey in. Guinness decided I was gone too long today, and got bored. He dumped the box that the 3 gallon bottle that held the used oil was in. Darn it ! I was supposed to go back to Robin's tonight for more play time, but when I saw that mess, I decided to clean it up and stay home. I got some torch time in tonight. Made a few of Julie acorn's with my twist, and a HUGE heart that I can't wait to see. It looks to me like a Carol Watson bead !!!!  lol
I"ll go back tomorrow for more ! I'm having so much fun just creating and playing. Wish I could do it everyday !

Gobble Gobble !

Well, I guess it's officially Thanksgiving !  I finally put the finishing touches on my "Grammy Mustard" , thickened and in jars to give out to friends. This recipe was given to my Mom years ago by my sister in law, Sara. My Mom kind of "made it her own" and all of her neighbors asked her for the recipe. She would never give it out, but instead would make jars and jars of this mustard to give away.  It has ALOT of ground mustard and tarragon vinegar in it. Cleans out your sinus' BIG TIME ! I've decided I'm going to carry on the tradition since my Mom can't.  All I have to do tomorrow is peel the potatoes, chop the onions and celery for the stuffing, and I'm gold ! I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with those you love.

Oh My Goodness !

I had the day off today, and decided it was time to CLEAN ! I had boxes and boxes from my Mom's house that I FINALLY reboxed, and put in the garage !! I'm trying to get the house ready for Thanksgiving. It's only going to be my Mom and the boys, but still ! There's "nuttin betta" than a clean house !

We're in !!!

What a fabulous topic to start off my new blog !  My friend Cathy Brown ( www.cathybrowndesigns.com ) and I were juried into our first "REAL" Art show ! We were chosen to participate in the Indiana Art Fair held at the Indiana State Museum on February 20-21st, 2010.  For the past 5 years, Cathy and I have done mainly local Arts and Crafts Fairs. They have been a wonderful experience that have given us the confidence to do shows that cater more to the "Arts" than the "Crafts"  Keep checking back for other shows that we will be applying for. Woohoo ! Can you tell I'm excited ???